Lee Mergner

Lee’s Contributions

02/22/15 In Person

In a video interview from the Jazz Cruise 2014, the noted jazz drummer talks about his early musical development, his work with Betty Carter, Cedar Walton and Mulgrew Miller and the creation of The Nash, an education and performing arts center named in his...

03/16/14 In Person

In a video interview from The Jazz Cruise 2014, the drummer and bandleader discusses his education, mentors and label WJIII Records. Jones talks about Billy Higgins, Max Roach, Cedar Walton and other important influences in his life.

08/23/13 Books

The saxophonist and bandleader Cannonball Adderley was not only an important and influential figure in the evolution of postbop and soul jazz, he was also by most accounts a man with a message and a personality who was generally beloved by his fellow musicians...

05/24/13 Features

05/17/13 Books

Guitarist, singer and radio personality John Pizzarelli, 52, is one of the most entertaining and engaging performers on today’s jazz scene. In his new book, co-written with longtime collaborator Joseph Cosgriff, he recounts his life in music, and that life...

04/21/13 In Person

About Lee Mergner

Lee Mergner is currently a group publisher with Madavor Media and oversees the production and marketing of JazzTimes and BirdWatching magazines. As the publisher of JazzTimes magazine, he also contributes reviews, columns, news features and profiles to that magazine and oversees the magazine’s annual industry directories. And he co-hosts, along with singer Rene Marie, the JazzTimes Spins & Riffs podcast.

Mergner is one of the organizers of the Jazz Connect Conference at APAP|NYC. That event, held as an adjunct to the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in January, brings together the jazz community in a series of workshops, panels and events, dedicated to expanding the audience for jazz.`

In addition to his work with JazzTimes, Mergner appeared regularly as a guest and host on over 100 shows on the Black Entertainment Television (BET) and the BET on Jazz cable channels. He appeared regularly on the radio show "Favorite Things" on WDCU FM in Washington, DC as well as other regional and national radio shows, including Sirius, WCPN, WBGO, Public Radio East, CBC and many more. He has also appeared frequently as a moderator or panelist at several music industry conferences and seminars, including those sponsored by NAIRD/AFIM, NJSO, IAJE, WAMA, AMA and the New Music Seminar.

In addition to his deep-seated interest in the promotion of jazz and roots music, Mergner has a strong commitment to independent music. He was an active member of the Association for Independent Music (AFIM) and has served on that organization's Convention Planning and INDIE Awards committees and was a judge for its INDIE Awards. Mergner has served on the advisory board for numerous jazz and music industry organizations and radio stations.

Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Mergner obtained his BA in Psychology and Math from Dickinson College and an MBA in Marketing from Temple University.